Little League

Citrus Park breaks through vs. Bayshore

By THOMAS SIMONETTI
Published July 6, 2005

TAMPA - Citrus Park coach Kevin Flanagan has looked forward to beating Bayshore at its park for awhile.

Flanagan-coached teams have lost to Bayshore in the district finals the past two seasons - two years ago in the 9- and 10-year-old age group and last season with his 11-year-old team. This year, Flanagan's team faced Bayshore at its home field in the District 6 Majors All-Star Tournament.

The teams met Monday in Citrus Park's second game. Led by pitcher Nick Waites, Citrus Park won 5-3. Waites threw a complete game and had a three-run homer in the first inning. The teams could meet again if Bayshore battles out of the loser's bracket.

"That's probably not fair," Flanagan said of having to beat Bayshore twice on its home field. "It may be what we have to do.

In the tournament opener, Citrus Park beat the Yellow Jackets 12-1. Keystone and Tampa Bay, in the other half of the bracket, also are in the winner's bracket. Team winners from each bracket will meet in the finals.

Flanagan said this year's team is the most talented group he has ever coached. Half played on his regular-season Devil Rays that won the Lorenzo "Tapi" Rodriguez Tournament of Champions in June. Flanagan's Devil Rays went 24-2, giving up only four runs in five games in the Tournament of Champions.

"I've never had as much talent as I have on this team," Flanagan said. "I like our chances a lot."

DISTRICT 13: After finishing up its 9- and 10-year-old tournament last week, the rest of the district's age groups started play Tuesday at Bloomingdale, Belmont Heights and East Bay. Finals for each age group take place throughout next week.

[Last modified July 6, 2005, 00:50:11]